NurExone Demonstrates Extended Therapeutic Window of ExoPTEN Post Spinal-Cord Injury in Preclinical Study

NurExone Biologic Inc
NurExone Biologic Inc

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TORONTO and HAIFA, Israel, Sept. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NurExone Biologic Inc. (TSXV: NRX), (OTCQB: NRXBF), (Germany: J90) (the “Company” or “NurExone”) is pleased to announce compelling new findings that highlight the therapeutic potential of ExoPTEN for patients with spinal cord injuries. In a recent preclinical study using a spinal cord compression model, our team demonstrated that ExoPTEN has a strong ability to target and accumulate at the injury site, even when administered up to one week after the injury occurred. This finding is crucial because it suggests a long window of time in which treatment can be effectively administered.

Dr. Lior Shaltiel, NurExone Chief Executive Officer, emphasized the real-world significance of this capability by stating that “the ability to treat patients up to 7 days post-injury could broaden the range of patients eligible for treatment and extend the window of effectiveness, leading to enhanced recovery. Moreover, the findings can enhance significantly the ability to recruit more patients to clinical trials and to expand the numbers of treatable patients, without being limited by a short therapeutic window and hospital administration challenges." He continued, "With the global incidence of spinal cord injury estimated between 250,000 and 500,000i cases annually and given that some patients do not receive immediate treatment, the potential market for a therapy effective up to 1-week post-injury could be substantial."

As shown in Figure 1, the ExoPTEN was labelled with a fluorescent mark and administered to rats with induced spinal cord compression injuries. The administration was conducted at four different time points: on the day of injury (day 0), 3 days later, 5 days later, and 7 days later, and compared to each other and to an untreated control group. The goal was to evaluate how well ExoPTEN targets and accumulates at an injury site over time.

Using an advanced In Vivo Imaging System (“IVIS”), it was observed that ExoPTEN consistently accumulated at the injury site. A notable gradient of homing capacity was observed, with later administration times resulting in progressively higher levels of accumulation. The highest accumulation was seen in those treated 7 days post-injury with a statistically significant dose-dependent accumulation of ExoPTEN at the injury site.

These results underscore the exceptional homing capacity of ExoPTEN, even 7 days post-injury, suggesting a broad therapeutic window for intervention. This creates new possibilities for the timing and flexibility of treatment, enhancing the potential for recovery in patients with spinal cord injuries.